Just hours before driving a pickup truck into a crowded street of New Year’s Eve revelers in New Orleans, Shamsud-Din’s social media activity revealed connections to the Islamic State, U.S. President Joe Biden stated.
Biden, citing FBI reports, informed journalists that the suspect “posted videos on social media indicating that he was inspired by ISIS, expressing the desire to kill.”
READ MORE: Suicide driver kills 10 in New Orleans
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, Biden addressed the incident that took place in New Orleans early on New Year’s Day, leaving at least 15 dead and injuring many others.
He used the term ISIS to describe the Islamic State, which is also referred to as IS or Daesh in various regions, including the Middle East.
Anne Kirkpatrick, New Orleans Police Chief, commented on the incident, saying the driver “was trying to run over as many people as he possibly could.”
She further noted, “He was hellbent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did.” According to the police, the attack occurred at 3:15 am, 0915 GMT, in a bustling area of the city popular during large-scale events.
The suspect reportedly engaged in a gunfight with officers, injuring two of them, before being fatally shot during the confrontation.
Authorities identified the attacker as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din J, a Texas native, and classified the act as terrorism.
President Biden emphasized that the suspect was a U.S. citizen.
“The FBI has reported to me that the killer was an American citizen, born in Texas,” Biden said.
“He served in the United States Army on active duty for many years. He also served in the army reserve until a few years ago,” Biden added.
He further disclosed investigators’ findings, including potential explosives inside and outside the truck used in the attack, which occurred on New Year’s morning in New Orleans.
An Islamic State flag was also discovered in the vehicle, according to Biden, citing FBI evidence.
Despite the tragic event, authorities remain uncertain about whether the attacker, who was killed during his rampage, acted alone. U.S. media reported on Wednesday that investigators are reviewing surveillance footage showing four individuals behaving suspiciously.
Initially, these individuals were suspected of planting explosive devices in the area.
However, reports later clarified that they were ruled out as suspects.
Earlier, FBI investigator Alethea Duncan suggested that the driver might not have acted alone, saying they did not believe he “was solely responsible.”
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